WEEKES TO PLAY REMAINDER OF THE SEASON

RALEIGH, N.C. – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that netminder Kevin Weekes has decided that he will play out the remainder of the 2002-03 regular season, delaying his surgery until after the final game.

“After discussions with team physicians, Kevin has opted to delay his surgery until after the season is complete,” said Rutherford.

The Hurricanes originally recalled Arturs Irbe on Wednesday to replace Weekes in the lineup. Irbe will remain with Carolina because tests have revealed that backup goaltender Patrick DesRochers suffered a fracture in his right elbow on Tuesday. DesRochers is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

The Hurricanes travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens on Saturday night (7 p.m., Fox Sports Net). Carolina’s next home game is against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at the RBC Center. Tickets for that game and all Hurricanes games are available via the team’s official website, CarolinaHurricanes.com, the Dodge Box Office at RBC Center or by calling 919-834-4000.